Microsoft's business plans in the field of Mobile Operating systems is undergoing vast changes to keep in pace with its competitors. It has been working out plans to suffice its wider customer base. Microsoft's forte is in its customized offering to its target customers be it the casual phone users market or the Enterprise market. So far, it has introduced six different versions of Mobile Operating Systems for Mobile phones and devices that are tailor made to suit the customer's needs. Whether the new additions will compete in the Industry is a question raised by many of the Industry experts and consumers.
First in the Microsoft's Phone Operating System, family is Windows Mobile 6.x. This version is soon going to end and second is the Windows Phone OS 7.0 which many of the OEMs are using currently. Thirdly, to cater to rising needs of the Enterprise market, it has introduced Windows Embedded Handheld 7 OS for the Enterprise handheld devices. Fourthly, for TVs, kiosks and similar devices, it has Windows Embedded Standard 7 OS. Fifthly, Windows 7 OS that serves as a platform of Netbooks and Tablets. Lastly, for the PC manufacturers who make non-Intel processors and less-battery powered slates and other consumer mobile equipments, it has plans to bring in Windows Embedded Compact 7 by this year-end.
One may think why Microsoft has different Operating Systems to offer and why not just one platform for all. It is because that Microsoft chooses to work on specific needs of its target customers rather than having the same platform for all. Moreover, having a generic platform for all is practically impossible. With growing needs of various Industries like Healthcare, Manufacturing, Aviation and many others, customization is required to some extent.
Microsoft's Windows Mobile OS is already running on many of the ruggedized computer manufactures like Honeywell, Motorola etc., With the innovation that OEMs likes Motorola bring in with their phones, there is need to power up the hardware with a suitable platform. Thus, Microsoft bridges the gap by offering end-to-end solution with its new versions of the OS. That said, Microsoft is going to stop providing Windows Mobile or the Windows CE toolkit to its OEM partners. Instead of that, it plans to include everything in the new Windows Embedded Handheld OS version, which is built on top of Windows Embedded Compact core 7. This provides rich interfaces and programs that enable building robust applications.
PC makers who manufacture slates or consumer mobile devices, and those who build GPS applications can use Windows Embedded Compact 7 as a platform. However, Windows Embedded Compact 7 is slated for release only in this year-end. In addition, Microsoft insists the phone makers that they can choose the Windows 7 platform, if they want to build applications for small-screen consumer phones that are used for consumption as well as content creation.
With Apple's iPad offering All-eggs-in-one-basket platform and Apple's rivals choosing Google's android OS, Microsoft faces a tough competition. While Apple and Google offering a generic platform with great features, Microsoft takes the path of customization to its customers and in time, we will know who will succeed and prevail.
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